These wheels weigh just 1398 grams per set, which makes them the lightest clincher wheel Easton makes, carbon or aluminum. This is due in part to Easton’s EA6X alloy, which also make these stiff and durable. I like them because they’re the right balance of aerodynamic and light, which makes them perfect for hilly mountain towns; they crush it up the steeps and fly along the flats. Let them put a little spring in your sprint after a long winter of après.

I’ve actually owned one of these helmets for the last year, it’s light and extremely well ventilated, but the previous retention system didn’t fit right and broke within a few months. This year, Giro got serious about this problem and came out with one of the most refined systems I’ve ever seen. It cinches down snugly slightly lower than the previous model for a more comfortable and secure fit. It also allows for a little additional room to fit a cap on cold days. One bonus feature that gets little mention, the side vents on the front are perfect for holding your sunglasses off your face. Considering all that and a reasonable price, the Atmos is a no brainer.

Even in the summer I don’t go anywhere without leg warmers. They’ve saved me more than once. The Castelli Nanoflex warmers are the Audi of leg warmers with subtle, thoughtful refinements. They are warm when it’s cold, breathable when it’s hot and they stay impressively dry when it’s wet. Stuff them in any pocket. You’ll be glad you did.

Once the snow melts and you’re back in the saddle training for your first race, you NEED a heart rate monitor. It’s an essential tool to help build power and endurance. The t3d keeps it simple as a watch, real-time heart rate monitor and log book. Suunto has added a nice metric called Training Effect (TE) that helps amateurs understand the intensity and benefit from each exercise. There are also a series of accessories that can be added to monitor distance, cadence and GPS location. A great entry-level watch.